X

Amazing Thandie Newton dress honors black Star Wars characters

The Solo: A Star Wars Story actor sends a message that diversity in sci-fi is always in fashion.

Bonnie Burton
Journalist Bonnie Burton writes about movies, TV shows, comics, science and robots. She is the author of the books Live or Die: Survival Hacks, Wizarding World: Movie Magic Amazing Artifacts, The Star Wars Craft Book, Girls Against Girls, Draw Star Wars, Planets in Peril and more! E-mail Bonnie.
Bonnie Burton
2 min read
"Solo: A Star Wars Story"  Red Carpet Arrivals - The 71st Annual Cannes Film Festival
Enlarge Image
"Solo: A Star Wars Story"  Red Carpet Arrivals - The 71st Annual Cannes Film Festival

Thandie Newton attends the screening of Solo: A Star Wars Story at Cannes Film Festive wearing a custom-made Vivienne Westwood dress featuring black Star Wars characters.

Mike Marsland/WireImage

If you're going to step out on the red carpet to promote a Star Wars movie, you might as well wear a dress that fits the mood and sends a message. 

Solo: A Star Wars Story actor Thandie Newton did just that at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday by donning a custom Vivienne Westwood dress printed with images of action figures -- specifically black Star Wars characters from her personal toy collection. 

Each action figure featured on the dress -- including Finn, Lando Calrissian and Saw Gerrera -- was photographed by noted New York-based fashion photographer Christian Hogstedt. The images were then layered over Westwood's Absence of Roses print, notes the Red Carpet Fashion Awards blog

The unique dress print was created especially as a tribute for Newton's first appearance in Star Wars.

It's not the first time Star Wars has been the muse for couture. Fashion house Rodarte featured dresses printed with images of Luke Skywalker, Yoda, C-3PO, R2-D2 and the Death Star in its fall 2014 ready-to-wear collection

Also in 2014, Preen took over London Fashion Week with Darth Vader-inspired couture

But this one-of-a-kind Westwood dress is more than just a celebration of Star Wars. It also honors characters of color who have been featured in Star Wars movies A New Hope, Rogue OneThe Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and now Solo: A Star Wars Story

This message addressing the lack of diversity in sci-fi is especially relevant to Newton as one of the few black female characters in Star Wars. 

For May the 4th 2018, a galaxy of Star Wars toys

See all photos